Round 24 Preview – League One Men’s
Three top seven clashes highlight our round 24 FNSW League One Men’s action as just seven rounds remain in 2023.
Our match of the round isn’t to be ignored either as Hills United host an improving Mounties Wanderers.
There’s a lot of good football ahead of us, so let’s get cracking.
Match of the Round: Hills United FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Landen Stadium
Our match of the round has implications at both ends of the table as competition leaders Hills United host 15th placed Mounties Wanderers at Landen Stadium.
The hosts secured a win on the road last weekend overcoming Macarthur Rams 2-1 at Lynwood Park. While Mounties Wanderers couldn’t make it three wins on the trot, going down to Blacktown Spartans.
With results going their way last weekend elsewhere, Hills United took full advantage with their first away victory in a while. This also coming on the back of their first home loss the week previous. Anyway, sitting 7 points above second, another win here would bring them closer to the dream of NPL football.
Last weekend they took advantage of the return of Thomas Makko to the squad after a couple of months out with injury. The youngster scoring a brace on his return bringing his season tally to eight goals. And it’s also worth noting that they are harder to beat with him involved losing once with him in the side and twice without.
Mounties Wanderers on the other hand sit just one point behind Dunbar Rovers in 15th place after 23 rounds. Two wins in their last three games have given them a good chance of climbing out of the trouble they found themselves in not so long ago.
Last weekend however, they lost to Blacktown Spartans away from home. Although being out possessed, they were noted as being dangerous in transition so Hills will need to be on guard here. In terms of the squad, it’s got a whole new look since we last caught them in a match of the round. Could they pull off the upset of the season here?
The last meeting between the two sides saw one goal separate them with Hills claiming victory. Make sure you catch this one live or on demand via the NPL.TV platform.
Hakoah FC v Central Coast United FC; Saturday 15 July, 5pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Could this be the start of a comeback? Central Coast United take another trip down the motorway to face Hakoah FC at Hensley Athletic.
Hakoah FC will be looking to bounce back from a defeat to SD Raiders last weekend. While Central Coast United took victory over Dunbar Rovers in our match of the round.
Last weekend was a match we didn’t learn a lot from regarding Hakoah. Reduced to ten men in the first half, they showed an initial resilience before eventually cracking in the second half.
Sitting on 26 points, another couple of wins for the Eastern Suburbs sides will ensure safety and this one looks winnable. They will be missing Yianni Spyrakis who received the red card last week.
Ah, it’s nice to be writing about a Central Coast United victory after three months without one. The Pirates put on a show last weekend to break their winless run scoring five goals.
Indeed, if they win, there’s a good chance they win big in season 2023. Adam Woodbine was inspired in that one with a goal and multiple assists. While Josh Swadling also deserves a shout out, setting up a couple of goals after a family loss during the week.
Bankstown City FC v Macarthur Rams FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Jensen Park
With a victory, both Bankstown City and Macarthur Rams will hit the 30-point mark which should be enough to ensure safety, so which team will hit it this weekend?
It will be a welcome return home for Bankstown City who went down to Dulwich Hill last weekend. While Macarthur Rams gave Hills United a scare but ultimately succumbed to defeat.
The hosts have made a habit of winning their home games in recent times and will be hoping that will be the case once again here.
Last weekend however, they went down to Dulwich Hill having taken the lead earlier in the contest. They will be hoping to show a bit more ruthlessness in the front third in this one as they look to continue their home run.
Despite going down to Hills United last weekend, Macarthur Rams continued to show improvement in round 23. Darren Jones hasn’t been afraid to add his touch to the squad with multiple players departing in the window.
Daniel Bittar scored their goal in the first half, however they will be looking to improve their set piece defending going forward. They triumphed 2-1 in the previous meeting between the two sides.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
After being held to a draw last weekend, Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be eager to return to winning ways when they face Blacktown Spartans.
It was a frustrating result for Bonnyrigg who were held by Rydalmere Lions. While Blacktown Spartans secured their first win in three over Mounties Wanderers.
One of those games where the ball just wouldn’t fall their way, Bonnyrigg White Eagles were left frustrated with a draw at a windy Bonnyrigg Sports Club last weekend.
Overall, it’s been a good response from them to their round 22 defeat against Northern Tigers. Not conceding another goal since and they sit steadily in third position. It’s a tight race up top and they will be keen to go one better than their round nine draw with the Spartans.
Speaking of, Blacktown Spartans steadied the ship with their first victory in three weeks over Mounties Wanderers at Blacktown Football Park.
Ben Rollison’s side have a better record on the road this season picking up 22 points in 12 games. Back to last week though and they were dominant in their victory with the side starting to settle on field.
SD Raiders FC v Canterbury Bankstown FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
A top five battle takes place as SD Raiders and Canterbury Bankstown lock horns at Ernie Smith Reserve.
SD Raiders were able to put three straight defeats behind them against Hakoah last weekend. While Canterbury Bankstown came back from two goals down to take a point from their fixture with St George.
It was a crucial victory for SD Raiders last weekend who are just clinging on to the four teams above them on the table with seven games left.
Having dropped points in their last couple of home games, they will be keen to restore their fortress here. Last weekend they had to be patient against a ten-man Hakoah side, scoring twice in the second half. Mark Cindric with the go-ahead goal while Mario Aleksik also had a good game in net.
A draw which felt like a win? Canterbury Bankstown came from behind last weekend to keep themselves in 2nd position after 23 games.
In a long season, sometimes you just need that little bit of luck and the Berries got it after throwing caution to the win against St George FC. With that momentum behind them and possessing the 4th best away record in the league. A win here could see them go clear of their opponents.
These two sides played out a five-goal thriller back in round nine, so definitely worth keeping an eye on this one.
St George FC v Northern Tigers FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Completing our trio of top seven matchups, the form side of the competition Northern Tigers travel south with St George FC their opponent.
St George will be keen to respond after conceding two goals against Canterbury Bankstown to draw their round 23 clash. While Northern Tigers come in off a 5-0 victory over Inter Lions.
Last weeks draw against Canterbury Bankstown wasn’t as bad a result as it could’ve been with results going the Saints well elsewhere. They have nine points in five games keeping them one point behind two teams above them.
Back to their game against the Berries. They were good from the set piece scoring twice through Conor Quilligan and Jesse Spang either side of half time. The two late goals were preventable, and they’ll be keen to put together a 90-minute performance here.
They will need it as well against a side in Northern Tigers who are putting together a late run up the table. Six victories in their last seven, they are scoring goals freely in recent times.
Leading that charge in front of goal is none other than Kai Denton. The young striker sitting on 23 goals in 23 games in the league, four of which came last weekend. A win here could well see them enter the top two race.
Dunbar Rovers FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Fraser Park
Dunbar Rovers host Rydalmere Lions looking to turn around their round 23 fortunes at Fraser Park.
The hosts were disappointing in defeat to Central Coast United conceding five at home. While Rydalmere held Bonnyrigg away from home.
After a couple of positive results a few weeks ago, two losses in succession have opened the opportunity for teams below Dunbar Rovers.
Last weekends defeat will sure be a tough one to shake off given it was to Central Coast United who closed the gap to seven points between the two sides. Olivier Beltran-Woodward found the back of the net, but it was a tough night at Fraser Park.
Their opponents Rydalmere Lions are amid a stretch of games away from home. One which has seen them take four points in their previous two games.
Last weekend, they held their own against a strong Bonnyrigg White Eagles side becoming the fourth side to take points away from their hosts. Coach Anthony Harb was delighted with multiple youth players who proved they could hold their own in the division. They won the first meeting between these two 4-0.
Inter Lions FC v Dulwich Hill FC; Saturday 15 July, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Another team looking to hit that 30-point target. Dulwich Hill will fancy their chances against Inter Lions this weekend.
They claimed victory over Bankstown City last weekend, while Inter Lions conceded five against Northern Tigers, feeling the effects of a longer season.
It’s been a tough month and a half for Inter Lions who have secured just five points in their past six matches. With a cup tie in a month, they will be hoping to put together some form before then.
On a bright note, despite the scoreline Sebastian Bellew on debut impressed in the first half of their game with Northern Tigers. Indeed, they have had to rely on a few members on the fringe of the squad in recent times.
A problem not isolated to them however, Dulwich Hill have seen themselves in a similar predicament in recent times. However, they got an important win over Bankstown City last weekend.
It was a match in which their experienced players led the way. Goncalo Paradanta leading with a man of the match performance while Daniel Fornito and Jamie Dib also played a role. They will be looking to overturn a first-round victory in this one.
By Justin Smith
